Chinese New Year 2010

Written by Rosemary Mantini | 14 February 2010

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

2010 brings us two great reasons to celebrate today - Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year!

The day of love also heralds the year of the tiger. People born under this sign are charming, courageous and passionate. Take a page from the Chinese zodiac, and make this year one to remember. In China, celebrations begin on the first of the month and may last for weeks. If you'd like to throw your own Chinese new year's party, or combine it with a Valentine's Day celebration, make it as colourful as you can. Red hearts and red roses are totally à propos. The Chinese wear red clothes, write poems on red paper, and give children gifts of money in red envelopes. In Chinese symbolism, red is the fire that burns away bad luck. The Chinese typically serve tea and a variety of traditional delicacies on New Year’s eve, such as spring rolls, Peking duck and noodles. Invite some friends over and try out some these yummy treats for yourself. Looking for a drink with a little more kick? Add a splash of Amaretto liqueur to the pot of tea. Or pair those Chinese delicacies with Pinot Noir and Gewürtztraminer.

Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Serves 4

1/2 lb eye of round

1/3 cup soy sauce

2 Tb cornstarch

1 Tb dry sherry

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

3/4 cup beef broth

3 Tb oil

1 onion, sliced

1 cup carrots, sliced

12 mushrooms, quartered

1 cup snowpeas

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1/2 cup broccoli florets

1. Slice beef into thin strips. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp each of the soy sauce and cornstarch with sherry and garlic. Stir in the beef. Let stand 15 minutes.

2. Combine remaining soy sauce, cornstarch and red pepper flakes; stir in broth.

3. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large pan set over high heat. Add beef; stir-fry until brown. Transfer to a bowl. Heat remaining oil. Add vegetables and stir-fry. Add beef and soy sauce mixture to pan. Cook and stir until mixture boils and thickens.

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